Spinergy Spokes

After my very first wheelchair literally fell apart on me more than ten years ago, I swore my next chair was going to be a lot more durable. And part of that process included having sturdy wheels with spokes that didn’t bend and break all the time. That’s when I found out about Spinergy Spokes. While reviewing new wheelchairs at a local hospital, the Spinergy rep brought his wheels in and swore they were the toughest wheels on the market. And to prove it, he put one of the wheels on the ground and proceeded to jump up and down on the spokes. To my amazement, nothing broke or bent under his 200 pound weight. I was sold.

Overall Rating: ***** 5 Stars

Pros:
Very durable and strong
No replacing bent spokes
Keeps your rims true
Very light weight
Great for wheelchair athletes
No spoke creaking

Cons:
Need a special tool to replace spokes when (if ever) necessary
Pricey

Review:
The first thing to know about these spokes is that they are incredibly strong. One or two spokes every couple of years might need to be replaced, but that’s nothing compared to standard metal spokes. Because they are flexible, they absorb shock and are ideal for wheelchair athletes whose chairs take a beating.

There is also no need to worry about bending a spoke when you catch one on a corner or on a piece of furniture. And even if one does break, the rest of your Spinergy spokes will keep your wheels straight and true (as I’ve personally tested). These spokes are also very light. Each spoke is made up of 30,000 fiber strands which create a flexible and very quiet spoke. I noticed right away how quiet my wheels became and that I never had to listen to that steel-spoke-creaking again! And because they are not steel, I never have to worry about getting them wet and rusting.

There are very few problems associated with Spinergy spokes. The cost is the most prohibitive, usually selling for several times the cost of traditional wheel sets. The price if often balked at by insurance companies, but more and more companies are starting to realize the long-term cost-effectiveness of spending the extra money.

You also have to have a special tool to change and/or fix spokes when (if) they need it. Make sure that you keep yours in a safe place as this is not a tool that most people have in their toolboxes at home. However many bike shops now carry Spinergy spokes and will be able to help you make adjustments. I’ve had numerous cycling-addicts come up to me and comment on my Spinergy wheels! Spinergy's website includes both a cycle and wheelchair section, have recently added handcycle information, and are currently looking for sponsorship athletes!

Overall, I would recommend these wheel sets and spoke systems to anyone in a wheelchair who is remotely active and/or involved with sports and outdoor activities, or who wants to pay the extra cost for the assurance and peace and quiet of this wonderful invention.

SoloRider Golf Cart

In 2005 we were lucky enough to begin using a SoloRider regularly, after the City of Steamboat purchased one for the Haymaker Golf Course, a Scottish Links course in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Needless to say, it’s great to be back on the links!

Overall Rating: ***** 5 Stars

Pros:
Front mounted rack for your clubs
Soft swivel captain’s chair for easy transfers and play
Hand controls
Reasonable price

Cons:
Play time is lengthened with any adaptive cart
Chest strap can be uncomfortable after time
Potential extra charge for adaptive cart usage


Review:
I have actually tried out several different brands of accessible golf carts over the years and of the ones that I have tried so far, the SoloRider has proven to be the most dependable. The front mounted rack for your clubs is very convenient and the swivel captain’s chair makes transfers very manageable. With the addition of hand controls and easy to use waist and chest straps, this cart is really quite amazing. Its lightweight design and special weight distribution and soft tires allow you to go anywhere on the course, including the greens and sand traps. The price is also surprisingly reasonable when purchased through a golf course at just a couple thousand more than standard carts.

The initial problems I ran into included whether or not there was an extra cost to rent the cart, even though we really don’t have a choice of whether to walk or ride and whether or not the cart was charged and ready to go when I arrived. Again, not problems with the cart, but the course getting used to having one that someone used on a regular basis.

Another issue you will run into is that you cannot golf with a friend who is disabled that would use the same cart unless the course has two carts. Golfing is also heavy exercise despite what you might think about riding around in this cart. I usually only have the stamina for 9 holes. And if you are hitting balls on the driving range, make sure to take a break every ten or so swings. As I mentioned, the chest strap is great for holding you up, but it really digs into your chest if you hang on it too long. Last, play time is definitely lengthened by the time it takes to set up with this cart, although this decreases with practice and is inevitable with any adaptive cart.

Overall, I would recommend this cart to anyone or any course who is interested in buying one. Golf courses can get financial aid from the USGA with a well-written grant application. The pros definitely outweigh the cons here. As I always say, anytime you can get out of your wheelchair and leave it behind gives you an incredible sense of freedom and independence. Now got our there and hit some balls!


LOOKING FOR A SOLORIDER NEAR YOU?
Check out their database of equipment on courses at:
http://www.mobilitygolf.com/

TREO 100wx Cell Phone

Rating: **** (4 Stars)

Pros:
It's like my mini computer
Voice command is extensive
Emails while we're on the road
I can play my music on it
SD Card is swappable to other toys

Cons:
Sometimes it takes two tries to dial out
Call swap doesn't hang up other line
Headphone jack isn't universal
Text, email, photo plan is overpriced


I love my Treo 700wx, it's like my own mini computer. It's got Windows, which you all can dog if you want to, but I am personally satisfied with Windows and for the Treo, it's loads better than Palm OS, which is like Windows' dimwitted little brother.

Sure I have some problems with my Treo, but they're minimal to the benefits that this little handheld provides. I love my Treo.

First of all, the voice command is extensive. I can call up my contacts, play music, access my calender and practically microwave dinner with this tool. "Call Craig Kennedy Mobile," I say while on the ski lift if I've lost my sweetie somewhere in that last powder stash. And I don't have to squeeze my Razor into my helmet, and freeze my hand off while doing so. I have the standard provided headphone set wired into my helmet, and all I have to do is press the button next to my cheek and talk. With my mitten on, mind you. All this while playing my music, pausing it to call, and then having it automatically start again. Brilliant.

I really needn't go on after that, but I will. Getting emails on the road with this tool is great, it's like a Blackberry, but better. Because as I've said, it also plays my music. I've got a 1gb SD card in the slot, and have dragged my music over from iTunes. "Play artist Dave Matthews," I tell my Treo, and she plays. Fabulous.

But if I run out of room on my Canon Powershot while on safari in Tanzania, I can swap out my SD cards. In fact, I try not to buy equipment that doesn't use SD cards.

Gosh, what else? I've downloaded Sudoku for it, and play solitaire on it daily. I purchased a Bluetooth keyboard for it and type my travel writing, emails, or spreadsheets while on the road, eliminating the need for a laptop if on a short trip, using Windows Word and Excel Mobile.

The internet is also a prize, seeing as addicted to it as I am. If I need to quickly look something up, it's literally at my finger tips. All these programs can be run at the same time, without slowing the system down too much either, a complaint I heard about prior to buying my Treo, and have had no problems with upon owning it. Every now and then it helps to stop running the programs, which is a bit of a downside, having to scroll through several screens to find the window to do so.

There are a few other downsides to the Treo as well. The one that bugs me royally is that sometimes when I dial, it just sits there, and then hangs up. Upon the second dial it works, but I always wonder if someone has heard me on the other end, bitching at the phone's ineptitude.

The outdated call swap feature is also a bummer. You can pick up one call no problem, swap back to the other call as well, but it won't hang up one of the calls at a time. You hit "end" and it ends them both. Stupid.

The headphone jack pissed me off at the get-go as well, as if I wanted to plug the phone into my car stereos to listen to music and use it as an iPod, I had to buy an additional jack adjuster, which diminshed the quality of the music considerably. If I have my iPod plugged into my car, I can't usually hear my phone ring because the music's so loud, so having the phone do both things for me was a plus. But the jack adjuster was a mere $5, and once I realized how to improve the quality of the MP3's I have on there, it plays fine.

Last, the plan. They get you with this one, at least on Verizon, which I have to use up here in the mountains. $25 per month for only 10gb of emails and photos, or $49 per month for unlimited. And the $10 unlimited texts is separate. That's high priced to me, but unless we're on the road, I don't use more than 10gb, so I only change it to unlimited when we're traveling for a longer period.

Other than those few cons, this phone rocks for my lifestyle, no question.

Life is Good

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)
We'd give 10 stars if we could

Pros:
Quality cotton wear that lasts a long long time
Soft materials such as the pajama and Good Tech lines
Positive messages that make people smile

Cons:
There just isn't enough money out there to buy it all


Review:
This clothing company started out as a brother-team in a van on a music and festival tour of New England and has grown into a country-wide link of stores that sell millions in sales and give back generously in return. But this isn't about the fabulous company that the Jacobs' brothers produced, it's about their tried and tested product they've outfitted us with.

All biases aside, after wearing LIG clothing for over three years, and mind you we beat our equipment and clothing up as hard as we can, I haven't seen a rip, a hole, or a disintegrated item yet. From hats to yoga pants, sweatshirts to t-shirts, even dog leashes and duffel bags we take on every trip (and you know we travel monthly), we have tried almost every item in this warehouse and can't complain about a one. And that's a lot to say about luggage; the handlers usually take care of that. But while I've gone through two suitcases and am on a third, Craig's still using his double-lined duffel bag complete with it's own dirty-clothes compartment.

The variety that's offered from LIG outweighs a whole department store. I've come quite accustomed to the fuzzy sock line of thick plush foot wear that makes me smile just getting it out of the drawer. Craig's even more fond of the golf line, including his soft Good Tech golf shirt and windbreaker. He's even been known to give his speeches in the Good Tech line they look so nice.

In addition to the standard of quality Life is Good has, the message portrayed is just as noble. Take for example the "HALF FULL" shirt. Thick blue cotton with a white outlined picture of a half full beer pint on the front.

Or take any of their other messages to heart:

• "Van Go" depicts a VW bus with a guy (we happen to know this stick figure's name is Jake) and his dog hanging out of it with all sorts of fun things like bikes and surfboards and outdoor fun in there somewhere. Insert new meaning to art.
• "Traffic Jam" depicts a convertible with Jake and his dog and music blaring out from it. Insert new meaning to road rage.
• "Think Outside the Box" has an outlined picture of a television.
• The "Life is Good" option offers a variety of pictures from Jake at the BBQ to Jake running with a surfboard.

On much of their clothing is a secondary label on the side somewhere that says, "Do what you like, Like what you do." This motto seems to be trickling from the company's top to bottom.

I think I've made my point. Spread good vibes, right? What better to send a message of positivity in quality clothing that feels good?

Frog Legs

Craig Kennedy

Rating: ***** 5/5 stars

Pros:
Comfortable ride
Don’t have to worry about cracks, bumps, and small threshold changes
Great on rough terrain
Takes 75% of the vibration out of a wheelchair frame
Fits any wheelchair

Cons:
Soft bushings are not good in the snow

Review:
After three sets of Frog Legs on three different wheelchairs, I am convinced that this is one of the best inventions yet for wheelchairs users. If you are an active wheelchair user, these wheels are especially handy as they roll over bumps, roots, cracks, and all kinds of other obstacles when you are out rolling around.

The best thing about Frog Legs is how easily they roll over just about any terrain. These specialized castors were originally created to help absorb shock and vibrations carried through the frame of a wheelchair, which can result is neck and back pain. Being a very active outdoor enthusiast, I am often off-road with my chair. I also like to move fast when I am out rolling around and often had problems with uneven surfaces, such as breaks in the sidewalk. The Frog Legs pretty much eliminated these problems for me and let me move around much easier.

Another plus about Frog Legs is how easy they make it to push a chair. Not only is it easier for an independent wheelchair user to push over uneven surfaces, it makes it much easier for aides or caregivers to push someone in a wheelchair. Instead of having to stop to lift the front of the chair over an obstacle, the Frog Legs allow you to push right over it.

The other great thing about these castors is how easy they are to get for your wheelchair. They are available through most rehabilitation hospitals when you are ordering your chair. They are a little bit more expensive than the standard castors, but should be covered by most insurance policies.

On the down side, I could only find one problem with Frog Legs. I live in the mountains in Colorado where we get a lot of snow. When I got my first set, I noticed that the bushings in the Frog Legs were a little too soft and that the wheels would sink into the snow when I was pushing around. This was the only problem I could find with this product and later learned that a stiffer bushing can be installed to remedy this problem.

Overall, I am big fan of Frog Legs Castors and would recommend them to anyone using a wheelchair. If you can get a letter of medical necessity from your physical therapist, you should have no problem getting a set for yourself!

Peet’s Coffee, Fresher IS Better

Rating:
***** 5 Stars

Pros:

Fresher standards = the best cup of coffee

Instructional tastings daily/weekly

Free samples

Educated employees

Cons:

Higher price, but worth it!

Hard to find a store in the Mid-West, but available online

Review:
We were introduced to Peet’s when the first store arrived in Colorado in 2005 in Cherry Creek Village (Denver). Addicted to Starbucks’ Carmel Macchiatos at the time, and not knowing much about coffee, we were sucked in by the delicious flavors and the professionalism of Peet’s Coffee & Tea.

The first thing the baristas taught us was that the founder of Peet’s used to be part of the Starbucks team and decided to found his own company based on higher standards of freshness. That’s one thing that’s stuck with us for sure, the freshness of the beans. Coffee is supposed to taste sweet, not bitter, and when the beans are old, the coffee tastes bitter. When they’re still oily and ripe, and some of that oil floats on the top of your cup if you don’t stir it, you know you’re going to get a great fresh, sweet taste.

Next we were taught how to make a cup of coffee. It doesn’t involve an automatic coffee maker and a paper cup, we were told. Peet’s often has taste tests and samples out for educational and tasting purposes. In one of these demonstrations, we were shown that when you run hot water through a paper filter, all you taste is paper. That paper taste can indeed ruin a good cup of coffee. The keys to success: buy a French press, heat up a pot of filtered water, and grind only the beans you’ll use that day. If you drink more than one cup of coffee, make sure to buy a larger sized French press and store what you are not drinking right away in a thermos. I know it sounds like more work, but you’ll appreciate the freshness like we do. It only takes us about 8-10 minutes total each morning to make the most superior cup of coffee we’ve ever tasted.

The downfall of Peet’s cautiousness in freshness is the cost. Because they refuse to keep coffee in the store that’s outdated (their freshness policy only allows them to keep beans in the store for 10 days!) you’re certainly paying for quality. Peet’s isn’t wasteful however and what can’t be sold is donated to local non-profit organizations and other good causes. We’ve found that even coffee that’s a month or two old can still be kept fresh in zip-lock bags, if they are put in them right away.

If you’re near a Peet’s Coffee & Tea (their stores are spreading!) and you feel your company or event is a good cause, apply for their donations in the store directly. But even if you’re paying full price for Peet’s their beans go further than the rest because of the freshness and strength, and therefore worth a little extra in price.

If you’re addicted to the quick fix drive-through Starbucks like we were, re-train yourself. It’s worth it!

Other hints:

• Never put your coffee in the freezer, it’s a dry environment and your beans will lose their freshness almost immediately. It might keep your soups from last fall, but not your coffee. Zip-locks in the closet are the best bet.


• Always let your boiling water sit for 30 seconds before pouring it into your press or it will burn the beans and additional reduce the fresh taste.


• Never microwave a cup of coffee. If you know you’re going to drink more than one cup, put it in a thermos. Microwaving cooks out the fresh taste as well.


• Peet’s coffee is 2x as strong in caffeine because of this freshness. Make ½ decaf and ½ regular to avoid the shakes! Or choose a flavored blend like Mocha instead of the typically over-caffeinated French, Sumatra, or Major Dickinson’s blends.

Thanks to the baristas at Peet’s Cherry Creek for the best education in coffee a couple could get!

Invacare XLT Pro Review

by Matt Strugar-Fritsch
Rating: 4/5 stars

I received my Invacare XLT Pro in July of 2004 with stock shimano XT cranks and standard quick release wheels. As parts wore out and I began to focus more on racing and riding long distances, I began to replace and upgrade parts accordingly. Today the only original parts on the bike are the frame, seat and right shifter/brake lever. Overall this bike has performed remarkably well, however there are certain limitations inherent in its design which can limit the performance, adjustability and comfort of the machine.

For a paraplegic, the front mounted horizontal shifter/break lever setup on the cycle is easy to adapt to and effortless to execute. It is easy to flick out a finger on the down stroke to shift both the front and rear derailleur in nearly any riding condition, allowing the user to adapt to terrain “on the fly” instead of relying on intuition to choose the right gear ratio for what lies ahead.

One disadvantage to the stock crank set was the inability to pedal and turn the cycle concurrently due to the cranks clipping my legs. This, in addition to the lack of leverage per revolution that is achieved with V style cranks (which now come stock on this machine) led me to upgrade to V cranks after one year of riding.

After upgrading to the V cranks (length 220mm, width 22 inches) I immediately noticed the increase in leverage which helped dramatically when climbing hills and slightly increased my average riding speed. I also noticed that the V cranks positioned my hands just outside my shoulders with my elbows slightly elevated. This setup utilizes the muscles of the shoulders and back much more than previously. In the long run, more functional muscle groups is an advantage, but in the short run it caused considerable pain and muscle fatigue as my body acclimated to the new riding position.

This handcycle comes stock with a road crown compensator which I feel is one of the bikes greatest assets. An on the fly adjustment of this lever allows you to fine tune the angle of the front wheel to compensate for the downward slope that most roads and sidewalks unfortunately feature.

The biggest downfall of this machine I feel is the lack of adjustability of its seat position. After 3 years of adjustments, it seems that there are only a few functional seat angles that can be achieved on this machine, rendering it nearly impossible to dial in the reclined angle that is desired by most high level paraplegics on the racing circuit. Invacare realized this flaw and recently launched a new bike, the Top End Force, which caters to this demographic much more suitably.

Overall I am more than satisfied with the quality, durability, design and performance of this machine. It is an excellent machine for everyone from the newly injured to the seasoned veterans and I couldn’t agree more with what they say in the bikes promotional material, and that is: “If you want a great way to exercise, cross-train or just have fun, the Invacare Top End Excelerator XLTPRO is what you're looking for!"

Mountain Handcycles, a Comparative

Grove DH-X1 and the One-Off Titanium Flyer

Summary:
Grove DH-X1 and the One-Off Titanium Flyer

One-Off Flyer: Superior for All-Terrain
4 stars
Easier forward momentum
3-wheel system
20+ gears
Additional chest steering mechanism
All-terrain worthyNarrow body

Grove: Superior for Downhill Only
3 stars
4-wheel system
4-wheel suspension, 4 disc brakes
Comfortable ride downhill only
Widebody

Since the 1980s, handcycling has grown into a world-renowned competitive sport in which paraplegics, quadriplegics, and amputees can test their skills. But most handcycles are road cycles (no one seems to like calling them trikes, although that’s what they are), and it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that we started seeing mountain bikes adapted for this crowd.

In 1996, several downhill mountain bikes were brought to Steamboat for some mountain fun. These were some of the first models from Grove Innovations, with four mountain tires, four-wheel disc brakes, full suspension, and no “handcycle” power, just downhill fun. Since then we’ve had the chance to try them with the adaptive program in Crested Butte, and although the shocks and weight of the machines have changed slightly since 1996, the cost hasn’t seemed to.
The Grove DH-X1 is an expensive toy, hand-built at a custom shop in Pennsylvania by Bill Grove in the late 1980s, they revolutionized the concept of adaptive downhill in the summer time. But because of the lack of supply-and-demand, and the cost of making these unique bikes ($5,000 or more for one), few DH-X1s are in the hands of needy users.

But if you can get your hands on a used one or attend a workshop with one of the adaptive programs that owns one (see links below), do, because we had nothing but hair-raising fun on this downhill machine.

It’s a very comfortable ride with four Fox shocks and a soft padded seat. Your arms are at a comfortable distance and angle to the handlebars, and if all you’re seeking is some downhill thrill, this is definitely the type of mountain bike for you.

The only other downfall to this model besides cost is that it’s a downhill bike only, and others have been modeled after it, such as the Cobra A.C.E. in 2000, so you’ll need to drive it to the top of a mountain, or take a chairlift in order to use it.

Even though Bill Grove isn’t making these bikes anymore, look for a few grassroots companies popping up in the near future who want to bring this design, and the price of it, back to the average consumer.

As for its competition, we weren’t the only ones who thought the lack of versatility for the downhill bikes was a minor downfall worth rectifying. The One-Off Titanium Flyer has been climbing a long road since its early conception phase in 1996, and is the first handcycle to finally bridge the gap between mountain biking and handcycling. Designed and manufactured in Massachusetts by Mike Augspurger, this bike is totally different.

Its three-wheel system is reverse of most handcycles, with two wheels in the front and one in the rear. You’re also positioned nearly prone on the bike, and resting on a chest pad that is used to steer when you are pedaling. You can also steer with the handlebars when not pedaling. This pad is a little uncomfortable at first, especially if you’re a woman, but you do get used to it. Your knees are bent below and slightly behind you, giving your chest the frontward power it needs to crank up hills. The design of this bike is revolutionary, and has proven itself against the odds and doubts of many professionals in the mountain cycling field. Its highest recognition comes from a recently-released movie about three paraplegics who brought their One-Offs onto Utah’s White Rim Trail and biked the entire 110 miles in reverse, the more challenging loop, without any able-bodied assistance.

Its twenty-plus gear shift system has a wide range of “granny” gears for easier pedaling, and the rear wheel provides traction at a narrower maneuverability for single-track trails, something that is more of a challenge for the four-wheel downhill bikes. But that’s not to say it’s easy going. The weight of the machine is around fifty pounds, with twenty-inch wheels. Powering these toys up rocky, muddy mountains isn’t something you do unless you’ve got the arms to do it. But for those who don’t have a choice, the One-Off is an amazing machine; which earn Augspurger the MIT Inventor Award in 2001.

The cost of this cycle is still the same, however, around $5000, because it is still custom-made, and only 100-150 have been made in the past ten years, probably double or triple what Grove Innovations released. But you will likely begin to see One-Offs purchased for adaptive programs in the near future, as mountain biking for those with disabilities continues to grow.

To sum up, the DH-X1 is definitely more comfortable than the One-Off for starters, but the freedom that the One-Off provides is unbeatable. The One-Off is versatile, smaller, and even breaks down easily into two parts for travel.




LINKS:

Recent mountain bike clinic in Keystone: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20070624/SPORTS/70624007

One Off Titanium: http://www.titaniumarts.com/

Grove Innovations: www.purplelizard.com/GIintro.htm

Eureka's Freedom Tent

Eureka's Freedom Tent

The only Wheelchair-Accessible Tent

2006 Da Vinci Award Winner

Rating:
***** 5 Stars

Full Review:
After setting up this tent over a dozen times my husband (T-12 paraplegic) and I have decreased the time to a matter of minutes to do so. With more than 25 days of camping in it over two years, this tent has proven to be a road warrior for people in wheelchairs. The advantages of this tent definitely outweigh the disadvantages, but let’s take a full look at Eureka’s Freedom Tent.

We continue to find this tent highly impressive. Worth first mention is its low price. At just $329 it’s a bargain; a normal tent of this size with these specialty features would easily cost $500. This is one of the best tents for the money on the market!

As for the features, the front vestibule’s size and versatility are what make this tent valuable for wheelchair users. We’ve used it for one wheelchair and a dog, but it’s wide enough for two wheelchairs, one additional person to sleep, all your excess gear, or to be used as a changing room.

The Freedom Tent also uses a unique rigid sliding front door design, which is something we’ve never seen on a tent before. This door makes entering the tent easier for all users, but especially for wheelchairs. The typical zip-doors collapse into a pile on one side and can make rolling over them difficult, so the sliding door is a much better design.

Another feature we found useful for all campers with disabilities, and especially their companions, are the two additional inside window-doors to this tent. If there is a wheelchair in the front vestibule and the companion needs to enter or exit the tent in the morning or during the night, these side doors provide easy access to do so. They also make for putting in the bedding easier, without having to go through the front door and make transferring from your wheelchair to a cot or raised airbed much easier, as most wheelchair-users find it easier to transfer to the side.

The final unique feature for campers with disabilities is the addition of large, loop-pull handles added to all zippers. These pull tabs are excellent for people with arthritis and other hand-mobility limitations. We think this would be a beneficial addition to all tents as it makes it much easier to pull open and closed in the dark or on the fly no matter what your ability.

Our main complaint is that the instructions were the hardest part of the setup. Once we figured out that the rounded poles should go in first, we felt we had mastered it! The claim of this tent is that anyone in a wheelchair can set it up alone due to the closed-end pole slots (avoiding the circling pole-to-hole laps around the tent you do for most setups), but we found that average arm and hand strength and hand mobility, as well as chair-to-ground reach are definitely needed to set up this tent if doing it alone. Although this claim is a noble attempt at independence for campers with disabilities, and is likely mastered with these abilities and practice, the set up of this tent is indeed much easier with help. In addition to set-up, pulling the poles back out of the sleeves for breaking it down requires help as well, as the elastic pole pieces pull apart and do not easily slide out of the sleeves. Having another person pushing on the closed-end side remedied this issue however, and again, once we practiced this technique, it wasn’t an issue.

In addition, the weight of the tent in its bag may be too heavy to carry for those with less than average arm strength. However, it does fit in on a lap well and so long as you’re not rolling long distances, this too is not an issue. Weight is at least worth mention for this group to know, the tent’s full package is 16 lbs.

Overall we found this tent to be very spacious, and we loved sleeping in it. There are many features that are standard on tents that this one also has, such as the huge sky-viewing roof, an easy-to-assemble rain fly, and rugged, durable materials. Even though the instructions are a little difficult to follow, upon additional use the set up and breakdown will come with ease; it’s always a little awkward figuring out a new tent for the first setup.

We highly recommend this tent to anyone with a disability, as well as those with arthritis or anyone in need of additional storage and added features (such as the side doors) in their tent design! Way to go Eureka and Blue Sky Designs!